Concerns About Bicycles, Budget Finalized
Residents at the Swarthmore council meeting expressed concerns about bicycles in the business district. Photo: Satya Nelms
Bicycles in the business district were the main topic of discussion at the Swarthmore Borough Council’s December 21 legislative session.
At council’s December 7 work session, council member Sarah Graden reported on the increasing nuisance of cyclists riding on the sidewalk, which is illegal in the business district. During the December 21 public comment session, five residents expressed their sense that the bicycle problem is getting out of hand. They also said the police should be supported in their efforts to control the situation.
Swarthmore resident Inés Rodriguez reported several interactions with “the out-of-control kids in the ville.” She described two confrontations she had while biking and running in the business district. On each occasion, a child rode a bike straight at her, nearly causing a collision. She also described an incident where two cyclists, colliding with each other, were nearly struck by an oncoming car. “They are not only a danger to themselves, but they’re a danger to motorists,” Rodriguez said.
Of unruly youth in the district, Chris Galbraith, Swarthmore resident and chef at Swarthmore bistro Village Vine, said, “It’s tough for me to see my hard work and the hard work of other people being disrespected by the way these people are acting and treating property and other people in the downtown area.” He added, “When I left the restaurant last Saturday, there was a bunch of youths underage drinking. They threw a table at Dunkin Donuts.”
All five residents in attendance said they were disappointed by comments made by borough council member Betsy Larsen at the December 7 meeting. Larsen had reported that some borough residents believe police are overzealously enforcing rules against bikes on business-district sidewalks because council member Jill Gaieski, who co-owns Village Vine, chairs the public safety committee.
Resident Neil Young said he felt borough council should have rejected Larsen’s statements more forcefully. While he said he understood that Larsen was presenting others’ allegations about Gaieski, not making one herself, “the fact that that belief or perception was not dismissed out of hand as meritless by an elected member of the borough gives it a veneer of credibility.” Young continued, “I would like to see these comments withdrawn or appropriate apologies made.”
These sentiments were echoed by resident Tanner Rouse, who reported disappointment about the previous meeting. “I know Chief Stufflet. I work with him professionally. I know how respected he is throughout the county. To insinuate that some sort of plot is afoot concerning him or anyone else is unfair, and it’s not up to the standard of this council.” Rouse serves as First Assistant District Attorney in Delaware County’s DA’s office.
Council president Mary Walk offered Gaieski and Larsen the opportunity to respond.
Gaieski read a prepared statement. “Tragically, we are living through a time when facts no longer matter,” she said. “Rumors and conspiracy theories that offer easy explanations for things we don’t understand are sufficient to substantiate serious accusations that have the potential to do real damage.”
Gaieski compared the December 7 meeting to national politics. “This is the same dangerous and damaging behavior that we witness every day in Washington, and now it’s seeping into our local politics and daily lives.” She urged council members “to pledge to do better in 2021.”
Larsen stated that she had intended only to convey information to council and apologized for giving offense. But, she maintained, “If there are insinuations of corruption toward our government, it is important that they be brought to light.”
Finalizing the 2021 Budget
Council voted not to raise taxes in 2021.
Members also voted to approve the 2021 budget advertised after the December 7 meeting in a 6-1 vote, with Larsen voting against. At a previous meeting, Larsen had objected to the budget’s use of general fund reserves, arguing that a small tax increase was justified.
The budget will use $143,300 from the general fund reserves to balance expenditures, leaving a projected balance of $406,700, approximately 7.5% of projected 2021 revenue. Finance Committee Chair Michael Carey said a healthy range for a reserve fund is between 5% and 10% of revenues.
View this or any other Swarthmore Borough Council meeting.
The next council meeting is Monday, January 11, at 7:30 p.m. Details are on the borough’s website.
2021 Budget
Since November, Swarthmore borough council members have discussed, sometimes passionately, how to balance the 2021 budget in a way that supports the borough’s values while mitigating the tax burden on residents during the COVID-19 pandemic. Here are some of the final budget’s notable features, highlighting changes from 2020.
The 2021 budget does not raise taxes.
Property-tax reassessment will impact the tax bills of individual taxpayers, but the total amount the borough bills to the totality of taxpayers in 2021 will be the same as in 2020.
Police Chief Ray Stufflet will receive a $5,000 raise. This was financed without increasing the overall police budget by transferring money for police vehicles from the operating fund to the capital fund.
Non-uniformed personnel: Borough staff and public works employees will receive a 1.3% cost-of-living wage increase. The percentage is based on the Philadelphia Consumer Price Index rate.
Street tree program: Homeowners participating in the borough’s program to remove and replace dead street trees will now cover 70% — rather than 60% — of the cost.
Environment: $2,000 will go toward the purchase of locally sourced renewable natural gas. These funds will be transferred from $700 originally allocated for the purchase of non-locally sourced wind energy plus $1,300 from the general fund.
The library: The Swarthmore Public Library will receive a 3.95% increase in funding ($7,400) to cover employee benefits and to make up for projected pandemic losses.
Non-essential administrative costs: Office supplies, postage, and similar costs will be reduced 2.63%.
The complete budget is available online.
